Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal, refundable tax credit from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that helps boost the incomes of low-wage, working families. In 2013, more than 354,000 Colorado taxpayers received $772 million in federal EITC refunds. Taxpayers who qualify for the federal EITC also qualify for the state EITC. Colorado's state EITC is 10 percent of the federal EITC, providing low-wage earners with an even larger refund at tax time.

How It Works

The EITC helps close the gap between a family’s earnings and what they need to make ends meet. It operates by reducing the amount of taxes owed and increasing the chances of receiving a refund.

Who Qualifies?

Depending on income and number of children, single or married people who worked full-time or part-time at some point in 2016 can qualify for the EITC.

Find out if you qualify for the EITC by inserting your income, filing status, and number of children into the EITC calculator, and utilizing the chart below.

Family Size

Family Income

Maximum Federal EITC

Maximum State EITC

Three or more children

$47,955 (single)

$53,200 (married)

$6,269

$626

Two children

$44,648 (single)

$50,198 (married)

$5,572

$557

One child

$39,296 (single)

$44,846 (married)

$3,373

$337

No children

$14,880 (single)

$20,430 (married)

$506

$50

The federal and state EITC are two of several tax credits for working families. Learn about additional tax credits you may qualify to receive. In addition, if you earn less than $54,000 a year and have children, you can also qualify for free tax help.